Fusible link.



H. G. CARLSON.

FUSIBLE LINK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8. 1916.

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Patented Dec. 4, 19W.

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I-IJALMAR Gr. CARLSON', OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 ROCKWUOD SPRINKLER COMPANY 0F MASSACHUSETTS, @E WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A.

COBPOJRIATTON 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

rUsIBLn LINK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented lDec. d, i917..

Application :filed March 8, 1916.l Serial No. 82,975.

'F0 all whom z' may concern:

Be it known that I, I-IJALMAR G. CARLSON, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at llVorcester, in the county of `Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Fusible Link, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fusible link for use with fire extinguishing apparatus, alarms, and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a link for this purpose of a simple and inexpensive character comprising two link members each consisting of thin sheet material, as for example, brass, adapted to be shaped up in dies and especially to provide a construction of this character in which when the links start to separate there will be a force Vexerted by their straight separation which shall have the effect of forcing them apart laterally in their own plane and also in addition to this, to provide a self-acting spring member which, as soon as they commence to separate even in the slightest degree, will assist that separation so as to prevent any corrosion causing them to fail to work. Tn fact the principal object of the invention is to provide a link more sensitive than has been the case heretofore, so sensitive in fact that the link can be depended upon to give way before an ordinary sprinkler head located in the same place.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which-m Figure l is a plan of a complete link con` structed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. l, showing the parts after they have begun to separate;

Fig. 4. is a plan of one of the two main link members showing the third member in position;

Fig. 5 is a plan showing how the links act as they separate, and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, showing the operation of the third member.

The link is shown as comprising two main members'A and B. Each of these members is made preferably entirely of sheet brass, and they are so designed that they can be formed of this material in a @memset mall-ner .by means 0f dies Without undue expense. Each of the members is provided with a flat surface and in practice the surfaces of the two members are designed to engage each other substantially throughout their extent so that they can be soldered or sweated together by a thin film of solder or the like throughout these surfaces in such a way that an elevation in temperature above a predetermined point will soften the binding material which prevented thc links from being separated. This, of course, is well understood in the art.

The .surfaces of both members at registering points when they are together are provided with transverse grooves a and re spectively. These of course register with each other and a third member C is placed in these grooves between the two members.

his member C consists of a simple strip of spring material, as brass, curved so as to normally tend to force the two members directly apart.

0n one edge of the link member A is an upturned projection or flange a. This is shown of a general convex form but the main requirement is that it make an angle with the line of pull. The member B has no flange at the corresponding edge, but it has one at the opposite edge. Each of these flanges a and 5 is of a shape to fit the flat edge of the other member which is shown curved or convex. They serve to help guide the two members together when as sembling and assist them in separating as will appear.

As is usual in this class of links the two members are provided with perforations a2 and b2 at their opposite ends for the securing of a tying member or the like by which the tension s'applied to pull the two link members apart. For the purpose of properly finishing these holes and reinforcing around the edges thereof the metal of each link member is shown as turned outwardly and then inwardly on itself, drawn throughv the hole, brought around back and expanded outwardly on the rear side up against the body of the metal of the link. In this way a smooth reinforcement is provided for strengthening the link.

Tn the operation of the device the manner in which the parts remain in their normal position will be understood. When the heat rises the spring C is released. This tends to force the two members directly apart ay short distance and helps to release any points that may have a tendency to stick together on account of corrosion. As soon as this is accomplished, the weights or other means tending to pull the two members apart will act and the convex portion of each member which engages the concave edge of the flange of the other member will act to tend to force these members apart in their own plane, to cause them to slide over Ybe made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asveXpressed in the claims. Therefore l do not wish to be limited to all the details of Vconstruction herein shown and de- 1 scribed, but what I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a fusible link comprising two members having surfacesA adapted to be secured together by a thin layer kof fusible material between them, one of said members having one of its edges arranged at an angle with the line along which they tend to separate and the other memberhaving a projection transverse to its surface for engaging said edge and forcing said members to slide on each other transversely in their own planes when they start to separate longitudinally, and separate means between said members for forcing them apart in another direction.

2. As an article of manufacture, a fusible link comprising two members having flat contiguous surfaces adapted to be secured together throughout a wide area by a thin layer of fusible material located between them, each of said members having two conveX edges, one of said edges having a similarly shaped convex flange, the flange on Genies of this patent may be obtained for eachy member engaging the convex edge of the other member, whereby when they si art to pull apart the flanges and co-acting edges will cause them to slide in their own planes at an angle to the direction of pull, and a spring Vbetween said members for forcing them apart transversely.

3. As an article of manufacture, a fusible link comprising two members having contacting flat surfaces, said members having perforations at their opposite ends, one of said members having a. flange extending past the edge of the other member, said edge of the other member having a form for engaging the flange when the members are pulled apart and forcing one of the members to slide along the surface of the other in a direction transverse to `the direction of pull, and a transrerse tipping spring between said members for forcing them apart by its resiliency and additionally lj a tipping motion.

4. As an article of manufact urefa fusible link comprising two members each having co-acting co tacting surfaces and provided with tipping spring means for causing said members to separate transversely when they start to pull apart longitudinally and lo separate sidewise additionally in ftheir own plane.

5. As an article of manufacture, a. fusible link comprising two flat members having registering grooves, a narrow transverse spring member located in said grooves for forcing them apart by its resiliency and capable. of tipping over to positively separate them, fusible material for holding said members together and means whereby when the members start to separate longitudinally they will be caused to separate sidewise in their own plane.

6. As an article of manufactmre, a fusible link comprising two fiat members having transverse registering grooves, a long transverse spring member located in said grooves between them, and :fusible material for holding said members together.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand.

HJALMAR G. CARTAS( 1N.

Witness GEORGE A. PRATT.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.,

Washington, D. C. 

